Green dream: NHS students initiate talk about plastic bags

Monday

May 20, 2013 at 12:01 AMMay 20, 2013 at 8:20 PM

The issue of plastic pollution has given the Newburyport High School students the chance to test their civic muscles while working toward positive change on the many environmental uncertainties their generation faces.

Staff reports

The issue of plastic pollution has given the Newburyport High School students the chance to test their civic muscles while working toward positive change on the many environmental uncertainties their generation faces.

“One of the most powerful tools we possess is that of awareness,” says NHS student Lindsay Ford, “not only environmental awareness, but the insight to realize that the most productive and fulfilling change is a product of collaboration and unity among interested citizens, businessmen and legislators.”

Toward this end, NHS will host a public showing of “Bag It,” a documentary about the effects of plastics on the environment and human health, at 7 p.m. May 22 at NHS. After the 45-minute film, there will be a talk with Mayor Donna Holaday, State Sen. Kathleen O’Connor Ives and State Rep. Lori Ehrlich, who is working on plastic bag legislation at the state level. The discussion will focus the possibility of a ban or fee on plastic grocery bags in the city.

Some residents of Newburyport have been working to address issues of plastic pollution in the coastal city. Following the lead of other Bay State communities, like Brookline, a group called Citizens for Sustainable Bagging was formed to move the city toward placing a ban or fee on plastic grocery bags. These bags are a target for elimination because they do not biodegrade, they are aerodynamic and are a threat to marine and other wildlife, the group says. The initiative is in line with Newburyport’s efforts to work toward becoming a zero-waste community.

The event has been put together by the NHS Environmental Club and the Gulf of Maine Institute in conjunction with Citizens for Sustainable Bagging and Transition Newburyport.

Newburyport residents will be given an opportunity to register their input by filling out a general public survey at the event. The survey will also be made available through a city-wide mailing and can be accessed online at surveymonkey.com/s/VFMM9. To learn more about the movie showing, contact Cyrus Woodman at cyruswoodman@gmail.com.

For questions about the initiative, call the Newburyport Office of Recycling and Energy (978-499-0413) or check out Citizens for Sustainable Bagging on Facebook.